Abstract: A method of estimating an unknown solvus for a phase of a given alloy includes providing empirical data of a plurality of alloys from an alloy class, the empirical data at least including chemical compositions, heating rates, cooling rates and alloy solvus temperatures of the plurality of alloys, providing an alloy chemical composition, a selected heating rate and a selected cooling rate of another alloy from the alloy class that has an unknown solvus temperature, estimating the unknown solvus temperature based upon the empirical data to provide an estimated solvus temperature of the alloy, and establishing a solution heat treatment temperature corresponding to the estimated solvus temperature at which to treat a component that includes the alloy.

Abstract: A method for adjusting properties of components made of an alloy includes providing historical data for one or more properties of components made of an alloy and produced at different times. The components are solution heat treated at a pre-established solution heat treatment condition. A trending change in the one or more properties is then identified and test specimens made of the alloy are provided. The test specimens are divided into a plurality of groups and solution heat treated at different conditions. The test specimens are then mechanically tested to provide empirical data. The empirical data is compared to performance criteria and a solution heat treatment condition is identified over which the empirical data meets the performance criteria. The pre-established solution heat treatment condition is then adjusted for future ones of the plurality of components according to the identified solution heat treatment condition.